Report: Toyota GT 86 to Get More Power?

Although many were disappointed that the recent Subaru BRZ STI preview turned out to be a mild tuning upgrade rather than a full-on STI model, fans of the sports car twins may be able to turn to Toyota for a higher-powered version. This is exciting news for those who have expressed their concern that the standard car's 2.0-liter, 200-hp boxer four-cylinder is simply not enough power for the capable, balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald’s automotive section, Drive, Toyota GT 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada let slip that his team is preparing multiple options to boost the power of the standard Toyota GT 86, which is sold as the Scion FR-S in the U.S. Different options that Tada allegedly mentioned included a turbocharger, larger displacement, and even a performance hybrid system. One of these options will reportedly arrive with a mid-cycle refresh for the Toyota GT 86 in 2015.

Tada also hinted at development for a Toyota GT 86 successor which could transform the car’s concept. He mentioned the option of dropping the boxer engine, meaning that Subaru may or may not be involved with the second generation of the car.

We’ll see whether these predictions come true, as there have been reports of Toyota cancelling turbo and convertible variants of the Toyota GT 86 due to cost. This constraint may eliminate the possibility of a turbo or hybrid model, but we wouldn’t rule out a higher-displacement engine. For now, enthusiasts can keep their hopes up that a more powerful factory Toyobaru sports car may be on the horizon.

Ask car fans to name the "best" new cars available, and answers will likely include 200-mph exotics from Ferrari and Lamborghini, or ultra-luxury machines like the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley Mulsanne.